Airlie Bank Lane: Repurposing a Tennis Court

Architecture - by Open Journal

From the archive: Airlie Bank Lane by Neometro, 2011.

Built on a former tennis court at the juncture of two bluestone lanes in South Yarra’s Domain Precinct and behind a layered façade of greenery lies eight two and three bedroom apartments with garden and city aspects. A refined but subdued interior palette ensures spaces that are functional, elegant and enduring.

At Airlie Bank Lane, a sense of roominess and repose is achieved through sensible planning, natural light and the use of raw materials.

Photo: Shannon McGrath

Airlie Bank was a winner in the 2012 Houses Awards. The judges comments are below:

So often in Australia, apartments are poorly planned, leaving little scope for any interior design rescue. Not so at Airlie Bank. The bones of this project are well placed, while good use of natural light, sensible planning that is easily adaptive to a relaxed and comfortable lifestyle, light and fresh air to every room, and a recessive yet functional kitchen all work together in a neat composition.

Photo: Shannon McGrath

The quality of design extends well beyond the architect’s desire for “refined materials which express their natural and raw state.” Natural side light to kitchen benches; niche lighting to bathrooms; utility areas that are hidden yet accessible; a “borrowed” study; well-planned joinery; practical, elegant sanitary fittings; a generous terrace as outdoor living room extension – all of this adds up to a project greater than the sum of its parts, and one that achieves a high-quality design outcome. A sense of space, light and air is both implied and real in this apartment design. Take out all of the furnishings and still it is a delightful place for city living.